Sunset, her sister and their cousins try to navigate the dangerous world of High School!
Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, Sonata Dusk, Sunset Shimmer, and Scootaloo are ordinary teen girls, well as ordinary as teen girls with magical powers can be. However, Incognito is still out there, plotting to bring about the end of Sunset Shimmer. And then there is Gilda, a fellow classmate that has created a rivalry with both Sunset and Aria. But as long as Sunset has her family and their friends, then they can face anything together. Nothing to worry about, right?
Luna had finally gotten around to unpacking a massive box of books. She meticulously organized the books by author. She reached into the box and grabbed the final book. Her senior yearbook from High School. She sat down in her favorite chair and started looking through it. There were somewhat colorful comments written on the inside cover from her classmates. She flipped through it until she came upon a photograph of her with her friends. Even back then Raven had taken her breath away. The picture was of three seniors and two freshmen. It was simply captioned "Best Friends!" It had been taken during her goth phase, when she referred to herself as Nightmare Moon. She cringed at how she had dressed back then. Then there was Raven, in an outfit that screamed "JAILBAIT!", she looked like she had walked off the set of a Teen-Bopper music video. Zecora was dressed as conservative as ever. In all the years that they had been friends, Zecora had always been a shoulder for Luna to lean on. That left the freshmen. One was Luna's niece, Cadence, but the two of them had grown up like sisters. And there was Cadence's best friend, Chrysalis. Chrysalis had always looked up to Luna and Zecora, and both of the older girls had looked after her.
Looking at the yearbook reminded Luna how difficult her senior year had been. Celestia was at college, and their father was in the Air Force and serving in America's daring highly trained special missions force, flying an advanced model of the F-14 called a Sky Striker. Though the unit was no longer classified, much of their missions still were.
Laughter radiated from upstairs, causing Luna to smile, she now had not only a fiance that was the love of her life, but three wonderful daughters. Her eyes fell upon a rather fat rodent that was sitting on the stairs staring at her.
"What do you think Tiberius," Luna said, "should we have pizza or Chinese for dinner?"
"You're asking Tiberius for culinary advice," Adagio Dazzle asked as she, her sisters Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk, along with their cousins Sunset Shimmer and Scootaloo, came stomping down the stairs.
"He is quite knowledgeable for an oppossum," Luna replied, Tiberius looked at Luna and then at Adagio and started to make his way up the stairs.
"So what do you girls have planned for tonight?" It was a Friday night and Luna had decided to allow her nieces to come over and spend the night with their cousins.
"Pillow fight," Sonata answered with a straight face.
"I want to teach them how to play basketball," Scootaloo answered as she pointed at Adagio and Sonata. Luna tried to suppress a laugh. Scootaloo's attempts to teach Sunset how to ride a bike, while successful, had ended with Sunset receiving a sprained wrist for her efforts.
"Have fun," Luna said, "are you going to join them Aria?" Aria was the most athletic of the three, and on a good day could even compete against Rainbow Dash.
"I might watch," Aria said as removed her glasses to clean them, "someone needs to keep Sunset company."
"What's this," Sunset asked as she looked at the book that Luna had placed on the coffee table.
"That," Luna said, "is my high school yearbook."
She quickly opened the book up to the photograph that she had been looking at earlier.
"You went outside dressed like that," Adagio asked, "and look at Raven!"
The other teens all laughed.
"Laugh it up," Luna said, "just remember that I'll show your kids your yearbooks when they are old enough." The five teens each stopped laughing.
"That's dirty pool mom," Sonata said.
"I play to win," Luna said, "I don't have to fight fair."
"Remind me not to challenge Aunt Luna to a game of Super Smash Brothers," Scootaloo whispered to her sister.
"Yeah," Sunset answered. There were times that Luna reminded her of a teenager and not their vice-principal.
"So have you girls heard from the princess lately," Luna asked.
"Not recently," Sunset replied.
"Well, the Friendship Games begin this Friday," Luna said, "maybe you can go visit her afterwards."
"That's be great," Sunset said before she remembered her mother's words, "but mom banned us from interdimensional travel."
"I'll talk to your mom," Luna countered.
"Would you," Sunset said with a huge smile.
"Count on it," Luna replied with a wink.
"I'm not allowed to compete," Adagio said, "and even though I'm going to your rival school, I'll root for my favorite cousin."
"I thought that I was your favorite cousin," Scootaloo said in jest.
"No," Adagio said, "you're my favorite younger cousin, and Cadence is my favorite older cousin, that leaves Sunset."
Scootaloo blinked, a look of confusion washing over her face.
"Your words spin webs like a spider," Sonata said.
Adagio looked at their mother and with a huge smile said, "I learned from the best."
Luna started to reply, but stopped when she noticed that Tiberius had returned. He was sitting halfway up the staircase wearing Adagio's favorite pair of sunglasses. Luna couldn't stop herself from giggling even if she had tried. The five girls in the room turned to see what Luna found so funny. Four girls joined in on the laughter, Adagio on the other hand began chasing Tiberius around the house. Aria wasn't able to resist and started playing the "Benny Hill theme" on her phone which made everyone laugh even harder.
"One of-" Luna said as she caught her breath, "One of these days I'm going to have to tell you about all the trouble I used to get into with Celestia's pet bird."
"You mean Philomena," Scootaloo asked, "I didn't know that she was a handful."
"Speak for yourself," Sunset said, "mom asked Fluttershy and I to look after her one day and we thought that we had lost her. Turns out that she was only playing a prank on us. Fluttershy still refuses to be in the same room as that overgrown chicken."
Adagio set her keys down on the kitchen counter. Surprisingly, she had made it home from school before her sisters. That rarely happened, since Crystal Prep was on the other side of Canterlot. Taking a moment to enjoy how quiet the house was, Adagio reflected on the plan that she and her sisters had concocted. If mom or Sunset find out about this, then we are toast.
Adagio had had enough time to brew a pot of coffee when she heard the voices of three girls outside. She looked up in time to see both of her sisters, Aria and Sonata enter the house along with one of their cousins. She had been expecting a fourth girl to be with them.
"I thought that Rarity was coming with you," Adagio stated.
"She had to walk her sister home," Scootaloo answered, "but she said that she would head over after that."
Adagio was about to respond, when there was a polite, yet firm, knock on the door. Sonata opened the door and let Rarity in, then she glanced around making sure that Rarity hadn't been followed.
"What's all this secrecy about," Rarity asked as Adagio poured her a cup of coffee, "you four are up to something."
The four other girls looked at each other, it was as if there was a silent conversation going on between them that Rarity wasn't privy too. After a few silent minutes, they turned to look at Rarity.
"We need outfits," Aria said, "and we have some special requirements for them."
"You're the only person we can trust with this," Sonata added.
Rarity reached into her purse and pulled out a Tailor's tape measure along with a small notebook and a pencil.
"I trust that these aren't prom dresses," Rarity asked. The four girls shook their heads.
*****
Sunset found herself home alone. Her younger sister and their cousins had been acting strangely for most of the day at school. She was pretty sure that they weren't planning a surprise party for her, her birthday was still several months away. They're up to something, Sunset thought to herself as she rubbed a bruise on the back of her leg. Scootaloo had been a little overzealous when she had taught Sunset how to ride a bike.
They probably don't trust you, a voice said, you did unleash a demon into the world.
Sunset recognized the voice, and noted that it sounded as if it was coming from a great distance.
"We beat you before," Sunset said "we can do it again."
That's one thing that I always did like about you, Incognito said, your confidence has always been one of your strengths.
"So you're complimenting me now," Sunset retorted, "I didn't know you cared."
Make no mistake, the demon replied, I will destroy your family and your friends, and in the end you will be mine.
"You can try," Sunset fumed, "but we are going to stop you!"
There was no response, and Sunset no longer felt the demon's presence. If I never hear from Incognito again it will be too soon.
*****
It was late by the time Rarity made it back home. While she was certain that she could fill three of the requests that the Dazzlings and Scootaloo had made, she new that the outfit that she need to make for Aria would be the most difficult, Rarity had never used fire retardant material before. She had already come up with several designs. She had decided to make sure that each outfit would allow the person wearing it to still be able to move. This was of particular importance to Scootaloo since she had insisted on wearing roller-blades. Thy outfits for both Adagio and Sonata were by far the least complex, and Rarity realized that she could likely get everything she needed for them off the shelf at the local Army surplus store, though that wasn't the kind of boutique she would normally shop at. Rarity would never admit it, but she felt a thrill with these new designs.
*****
She would have her revenge. She had been humiliated by Sunset Shimmer and the Dazzlings. They may have had the upper hand, but she would find their weaknesses, and once she did, she would exploit them for all they were worth.
Sunset Shimmer had ruled Canterlot High School with an iron fist. Then, suddenly, she had allowed it to slip from her grasp. She had had every opportunity to reclaim what had once been her empire, but instead she had walked away. Away from the person that she had been, the person whom everyone feared.
They hadn't forgotten what Sunset had done, and they didn't forgive her, at least not right away. No it had taken three girls that had turned the school against one another, and Sunset had played a part in their downfall. Now those three girls were close to Sunset. And they had all humiliated her. She looked at the scars on her hand. A lasting reminder to tread carefully around those girls. It was a lesson that she had learned well. Now when she took them down she knew what she would be facing.
"Wait until they get a load of me." She said in the darkness.
"Good morning Gilda," Gabby said as her older sister came down the stairs. Gilda glowered at the younger girl as she grabbed a toaster pastry out of the pantry. Gabby couldn't help but flinch under her sister's gaze.
"What do you care," Gilda grumbled. She felt as though her sister had abandoned her. She had become friends, with the three girls that had really been behind Anon-A-Miss, and by extension their older sisters and Gilda's rival, Sunset Shimmer.
Of course I care, Gabby thought, "I'm your sister."
"You don't act like it," Gilda snapped, "if you were truly my sister, you wouldn't hang out with those do-gooders."
"But they're my friends," Gabby protested, "you'd probably like them if you got to know them."
"I don't want to get know them," Gilda screamed as she stormed out of the house.
"Stupid Rainbooms, stupid Dazzlings," Gilda muttered to herself as she walked to school ignoring the morning fog, "stupid Gabby, the traitor."
Rainbow Dash had once been Gilda's best friend. The two of them had first met at summer camp when they had been in elementary school. They were both shocked to learn that not only did they both live in Canterlot, but they both went to the same school. Then during their final year of middle school, their friendship had abruptly ended. Gilda had discovered a new thrill, first bending the rules and testing the limits of the law. It wasn't long before she had moved on to outright breaking the law. Rainbow had learned about Gilda's new favorite pastime, and while she hadn't turned Gilda in, she had stopped talking to her after that.
*****
Luna stood in the central rotunda of CHS watching as the students began to trickle in for the start of the day. It was her custom to greet her students. She was surprised to see Gilda arrive early. Normally Luna had to go outside and fetch the bully. Luna had never caught her, but she new that Gilda was smoking along with her friends Lightning Dust, Short Fuse, and Rolling Thunder. Luna hoped that she could lead Gilda's sister Gabby down a more productive path and was pleased that she had become friends with Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom.
She smiled a warm friendly smile at Gilda as she stomped past her. Luna could almost see the black cloud that followed in her wake. She watched as Gilda continued down the hall and turned into one of the women's restrooms. I hope that we can turn Gilda around before it's too late.
*****
Gilda locked the door behind her after making sure that she was alone. She noticed that one of the mirrors was missing over one of the sinks. Damn school can't even replace a mirror. She hated going to CHS. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her lighter, and then she reached into her purse, but she couldn't find her cigarettes. After several frustrated minutes of looking through her purse and her backpack, she realized that she must of left them at home.
"Shit," she said in frustration. She had been so angry when she had woken up that morning that she had forgotten to grab her cigarettes. Now she wouldn't have a way to blow off her anger.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," a voice said, "you shouldn't let your beautiful anger go to waste."
"Who's there," Gilda said as she looked around, she was certain that she was alone.
"He-he," the voice said, "I'm everywhere, and nowhere."
"Look bitch," Gilda said, "I'm not in the mood for riddles."
"I'm right here,"
Gilda looked up at the only mirror in the restroom, what stared back at her wasn't her reflection. Gilda saw what she could only describe as a demon looking back at her.
"What do you want," Gilda asked hesitantly.
"Why I want the same thing you want my dear," the demon answered as it morphed into a duplicate of Sunset Shimmer, "I want revenge, but most of all I want to make her suffer, like she made me suffer."
"What's in it for me," Gilda asked. The image in the mirror morphed again, this time into a demon infused version of Gilda standing atop the flaming ruins of Canterlot High School.
"I can give you everything," the demon replied as it's hand and then arm reached out of the mirror, "all you need to do is take my hand."
Again Gilda hesitated, but as she thought about it, she realized that this was what she needed to defeat Sunset and her friends. She reached out and took the demon's hand into her own. She suddenly felt cold, and the lights in the room briefly flickered. She thought that she could hear laughing from beyond reality. When she looked up at the mirror again she only saw her reflection, she did notice that there was a crack in the mirror where there hadn't been one before.
Gilda felt better than she had in months.
*****
Sunset suddenly felt a sense of dread wash over her. Something isn't right, I feel like someone is dancing on my grave. She looked around at her friends, does this feeling i have involve them? Aria and Rainbow Dash were talking about basketball, Applejack was telling Rarity and Fluttershy about something that her cousin, Braeburn had done recently, and Sonata and Pinky Pie were busy flirting with each other. Could one of you be in danger?
"Hey Sunset," Rainbow said, "you ok, you looked like you were a million miles away."
"Huh," Sunset said, "nothing, I just got this weird feeling all of a sudden,"
"Weird," Pinky said, "like what."
"I don't know how to describe it," Sunset said, "it was as if a billion voices cried out in fear and then we're suddenly silenced."
"Okay that is weird," Aria said, "but you should be focusing on the Friendship Games later this week."
"I hope that I can," Sunset said, "none of you felt that?"
"That's only twenty," Scootaloo said as Sunset pushed herself up off of the floor.
"I know," Sunset said as she tried to catch her breath, "I don't understand how Rainbow can do fifty of these before going to school each morning."
"She's an athlete," Scootaloo answered, "you on the other hand are an intellectual."
"Only you and Rainbow are able to make being an intellectual sound like an insult."
"Sorry," Scootaloo quickly answered, "I didn't mean it that way."
"I know sis," Sunset answered, "how many more do I need to do?" Scootaloo thumbed through the work-out schedule that Rainbow Dash had put together for Sunset.
"How many more you need to do today," Scootaloo answered nervously, "or by the time the Friendship Games start?"
"Just today," Sunset said, "I'd likely pass out if you told me the total number."
"Then you are in luck," Scootaloo said cheerily, "eighty more and then you can call it quits."
That was the moment when Sunset's arms turned to jelly and she collapsed on the floor. It was also at that moment when the door bell rang.
"Sis are you ok," Scootaloo said as she jumped up to help her older sister.
"No, I'm dead," Sunset answered, "Go answer the door, I'll be alright."
Sunset couldn't hear what was happening at the front door as she peeled herself off of the living room floor. By the time she did she saw her younger sister carrying the largest bouquet flowers that she had ever seen.
"Who are those for," Sunset asked.
"Mom," Scootaloo answered.
"Who are they from," Sunset asked, "is there a card?"
Sunset was able to spot the card before Scootaloo even had a chance to put the flowers on the kitchen counter, and she had plucked it from the bouquet before her sister had turned around.
Sunset began to read the card aloud, "To the fairest princess in all the land, how I love thee ---Love; the All-powerful Q"
"That's not romantic," Scootaloo said, "and I'm the one saying that."
"Yeah," Sunset replied, "and who besides love sick teenagers signs a note with only their initial?"
"Q isn't his initial," the two girls heard their mother say and they both slowly turned around and looked at the foyer, "it's actually his nickname, as for the 'All-powerful' part, it's an inside joke between us."
The two teenagers looked at each other. Celestia could tell that they were having an unspoken conversation between them, much like Celestia and her sister Luna did.
"So tell us about him," Sunset said.
"I really don't know where to begin," Celestia replied. She was starting to get flustered and didn't know how to answer her daughters questions. Oh Q, why did you have to send flowers this early before St. Valentine's Day?
"Oh no mom," Scootaloo said, "you're not getting out of this one."
"Let's just say that he is my opposite in every way," Celestia answered, "and that's all I am going to say on the matter. Now don't you two have homework to do?"
"We finished that before you got home," Sunset replied.
I should be proud that both of my girls are smart, Celestia thought, Sunset is one of the smartest if not the smartest student at CHS, and Scootaloo is on the JV basketball team and needs to keep her grades up to remain eligible.
"Ok, both of you go play video games," Celestia said in defeat, "I'll get dinner ready, and maybe, just maybe I'll tell you about Q."
*****
Adagio was covered from head to toe in sweat, even after moving in with Ms. Luna, she had maintained her daily jogging routine, the only differences now were the location of the route she took and that when she returned home she not only had access to a shower, but also air conditioning.
"Things are moving on up," she said to herself as she entered the house. She wasn't surprised to see Aria sprawled out on the couch holding her phone up to her ear talking to her boyfriend Flash Sentry. Sonata on the other hand was sitting on the living room floor and had a big bowl of popcorn in her lap as she and her girlfriend Pinkie Pie were watching a comedy on Netflix.
When did we become normal teenagers, Adagio thought as she looked at the scene.
"Any word from Rarity when our secret project will be ready," Adagio asked. Aria ignored her, she was to busy talking to Flash. Sonata hesitated, glancing at Pinkie before answering.
"Yeah," Sonata said, "our outfits and Scoot's are completed, but she is having trouble with the material for Aria's. She also said that she won't let us have them until she can see the whole ensemble."
"And Sunset is still in the dark," Adagio asked next.
"I haven't said anything," Sonata said, "but I don't have any classes with her this semester."
"What special project," Pinkie chirped, "and why are we keeping Sunset in the dark?"
"We can't tell you Pinkie," Sonata said, and before Pinkie could object, Sonata placed her lips on the pink haired party planner's.
"Uhg," Aria said looking up from her phone, "get a room you two."
"You know mom's rule," Sonata said, "if our boyfriends or girlfriends are over we are to stay in the living room or the kitchen."
"And I'm relieved to see that you are following it," Luna said as she and Raven Inkwell entered the house. Both of them were carrying bags that smelled like Chinese food.
"Need any help with that Mom," Adagio asked.
"We got this," Luna replied, "Miss Pie, are you staying for dinner,"
"Only if there's enough," Pinkie replied, "I don't want to take food off of my girl's plate."
"Trust me," Raven said, "there is more than enough."
"Why did you buy so much food," Adagio asked.
"My Agent, Printing Press, called and asked me if Raven and I were available for dinner tonight with him and his wife, I talked him into having dinner here, so that he could meet the three of you," Luna answered, "unfortunately he called saying that he had to cancel after Raven and I had picked up this feast."
Sunset stood just inside the main entrance of Canterlot High. She was waiting for her younger sister and her cousins to join her. She would have waited in front of the school, but a light rain had begun to fall and had turned the little bit of snow that had accumulated into slush. She gave a friendly smile to those students that acknowledged her, some of them even wished her luck during the Friendship Games that were happening at the end of the week.
It wasn't long before she could hear Sonata's voice. It didn't take her long to locate her cousin. She was walking with Rarity. She noticed that Rarity was carrying a large duffel bag that seemed to be stuffed to capacity. The two of them seemed to be engaged in an intense conversation. They both passed right by her without even acknowledging her presence.
That's ok, I wouldn't want to disrupt their conversation, she thought to herself, I'll just wait for Scootaloo and Aria. She didn't have to wait long, she heard Scootaloo's excited voice as she was telling Aria about her day. Ever since the truth about Anon-A-Miss had come out, Aria had taken it upon herself to watch over Scootaloo.
"Hey girls," Sunset said as she bounced up to them, "Want to go to Sugarcube Corner for some double espresso chocolate shakes?"
"We, uh, can't," Scootaloo replied, "Aria is helping me with a project about sea life the afternoon."
"Uh yeah," Aria replied, "I am."
With that they both exited the school. Sunset watched as they turned in the direction of Luna's house.
"Oh my," a voice that Sunset recognized as Fluttershy's said.
"You alright Sugarcube," Applejack asked, "you look like someone stole your favorite horse."
"I don't know," Sunset said, "both of my cousins and my sister just blew me off. I mean I know that we don't have to do everything together, but I enjoy their company."
"Why don't you come with us over to Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow said that she would meet us there after she finished practice."
"Alright," Sunset replied, "maybe Adagio can join us."
Sunset tried calling Adagio five times, it rang once, the first time she called before it went to voicemail, ever time she called after that, her voicemail had answered.
Noticing the frown on her friends face, Pinkie tried to cheer Sunset up when she wasn't waiting on tables or making an espresso for a customer. The Cake's had hired Pinkie just after the New Year, in order to allow Mrs. Cake time to stay home with her two newborn twins.
"Why would they exclude me from whatever it is that the four of them are up to." Sunset said, clearly frustrated.
"Maybe they figure that it's too dangerous for you." Applejack replied.
"Then they shouldn't have dragged Scootaloo into it what ever it is," Sunset said clearly upset.
"Maybe they are planning a surprise party for your birthday," Pinkie suggested.
"Pinkie," Sunset replied, "you know as well as I do that my birthday isn't until June, it's only the first week of February."
"We know that," Pinkie responded, "do they know that?"
"Um, Pinkie," Fluttershy said softly, "you were there when Sunset told her sister and her cousins when her birthday is."
"Oh right," Pinkie said, "sorry about that."
The bell over the entrance to Sugarcube Corner rang, and Sunset saw Rarity enter the cafe. She was still carrying the duffel bag, but now it was noticably empty.I wonder, Sunset thought, what was in the bag? She didn't want to cause a scene in Sugarcube Corner. She decided to just ask Scootaloo tonight after dinner.
"My the weather has turned just dreadful," Rarity said as she took a seat next to Applejack. Sunset noticed that Applejack seemed to smile as Rarity sat down. I'll ask about that later.
The chime over the door rang again as Rainbow Dash came into Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow was soaking wet and had a towel with her.
"Your Aunt can be a real bitch," Rainbow said to Sunset as she sat down.
"What did Luna do," Sunset asked her friend.
"Well," Rainbow answered, "since we lost to Everton High last week she had us doing wind sprints in the rain on the football field."
"Sorry," Sunset replied, "Luna can get pretty competitive."
Rainbow shook her hair and ran the towel through it. "I've noticed." She said with a smile. Then she grabbed Sunset's root beer float and took a long sip.
"Hey," Sunset said.
"Thanks I needed that." Rainbow said playfully. It was at that moment that Pinkie appeared with a root beer float for Rainbow. Sunset reached across the table and took it before Rainbow could even grab it.
"Mine," Sunset said with a growl.
"Would you two please stop with the foreplay and kiss already," Rarity said coyly.
"We weren't flirting," Rainbow said, "were just friends."
"I have to agree with Rainbow," Sunset said.
"Um," Fluttershy said, "you both looked like you were flirting."
We weren't flirting," Sunset said starting to get flustered, "Rainbow tell them we weren't flirting."
"Hey Sunset," a new voice said.
"We weren't flirting," Sunset reiterated as she turned to face the new comer, only to find herself face to face with Flash Sentry.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Flash said.
"It's nothing," Sunset said as she felt her cheeks blush, "what can I do for you?"
"Do you know how to reach Aria," Flash said, "I've been trying to call her all afternoon, but her phone keeps going to voicemail."
"Honestly, Flash," Sunset replied, "I've been trying to get a hold of her all afternoon. Scootaloo told me that Aria is helping her with some school project. That's all I know."
Guess I'll just keep trying then," Flash sighed as he walked away.
They're up to something, Sunset thought, it's not like Aria to blow off Flash, she has been head over heels for him since they started dating. I need to get to the bottom of this.
Scootaloo was nervous sneaking out of the house. She couldn't even fathom what punishment Celestia would dream up if she got caught. It didn't help that during dinner, whenever their mom wasn't looking, Sunset was looking at her with a glare that could scare the devil. Luckily, she had been able to avoid Sunset after dinner. She just had to wait until she was sure that both Celestia and Sunset were asleep, then she carefully and quietly snuck out of the house.
She wasn't surprised to find Adagio, Aria and Sonata already waiting for her in front of CHS.
"You've arrived," Adagio said, "what took you?"
"Sunset's been on my butt since I got home," Scootaloo explained, "what about you, aren't you worried about Tiberius letting Luna know that you snuck out?"
"Nope," Sonata said as she help up a rather familiar and fat oppossum wearing a little mask around it's eyes.
"It was either that," Aria replied, "or he'd tell our mom."
Scootaloo just rolled her eyes.
"So what's the plan then," She asked Adagio.
"Well this was the last place we encountered Incognito," Adagio replied, "So maybe we should start looking for it here "
"The last thing we need is for Incognito to make an appearance during the Friendship Games," Aria added.
"So where do we start looking," Scootaloo asked.
"That's the problem," Adagio said, "I have no idea."
Sonata began rummaging through her backpack and came out with a silver hand mirror.
"Incognito, Incognito, Incognito," Sonata intoned while looking into the mirror.
"It isn't Bloody Mary," Aria said, "be serious."
"I am being serious, and I don't see you coming up with a plan." Sonata retorted.
"Would you two just stop it," Adagio said loud enough just to get their attention, "we are trying to help Sunset, could you two please focus."
"Unfortunately we can't sneak into the school," Scootaloo said as she looked at the front of the school, "they lock it up tight after hours."
She turned and found her cousins and one fat marsupial looking at her.
"It was raining," Scootaloo said, "scratch that, it was a typhoon, and I was looking for a dry place to sleep. I also learned that the school has a silent alarm."
"Why didn't you try the homeless shelter," Adagio asked.
"And get Children's Services notified immediately about my," Scootaloo paused as she looked for the right word, "situation. Plus both of Apple Bloom's older siblings volunteer there on a regular basis, I couldn't take that risk."
Adagio enveloped her cousin in a gentle hug, "well you have us and Sunset now."
"I'm wondering why we never ran into each other before we became family," Aria said suddenly, "I mean, the five us were all living on the streets at the same time at one point."
Four pairs of eyes looked at her unblinking, as though she had presented them with a great revelation.
"What," she said, "do I have spaghetti sauce on my shirt?"
"What does that have to do with anything," Scootaloo asked.
"Mom and Raven made spaghetti for dinner," Sonata explained.
"Aria does bring up a good point," Adagio said thoughtfully, "I mean the odds of us running into each other while we were still living on the streets are pretty high, but the odds that we would all get adopted into the same family are even more astronomical."
"Maybe it's fate," Scootaloo said.
"Shhhh," Aria said suddenly, "anyone else feel that?"
"Feel what," Adagio said, "I can barely feel my fingers, I didn't think that it was going to get this cold tonight."
"I dunno," Sonata said as she looked around, "it feels like we're being watched."
"C'mon," Scootaloo said with a laugh, "stop trying to scare me."
She didn't want to admit it, but it did feel like they were being watched. She glanced up at the statue that sat in front of the school. She never noticed it in the daylight, but at night the horse that sat atop the stone plinth looked absolutely demonic. That and the fact that she couldn't pinpoint where the feeling was coming from made it even more unsettling.
"Maybe it's time we headed home," Scootaloo suggested, "it's obvious that we aren't going to get any answers tonight."
"Yeah you're probably right," Adagio said, "I'll walk you home. Catch up with you two later."
"We'll see you at home," Sonata said, "just don't take to long just in case we need to make excuses to mom or Raven."
"I hear ya," Adagio said, "come on Scoots, I don't want to be out in this cold any longer than I have to be."
Sonata didn't realize it, but she left her hand mirror sitting on the sidewalk as they left the schoolyard. None of the girls noticed as the glowing pair of eyes from within the mirror watched them walk away.
It didn't take long for Adagio and Scootaloo to arrive at Principal Celestia's house. Luckily for Scootaloo there was a tree that grew right outside her bedroom window, a tree that Scootaloo had climbed dozens of times since she had moved in with Celestia. Celestia had taken to calling the tree Scootaloo's fire escape.
"Can you sneak in without being caught," Adagio asked using a stage whisper. Scootaloo just nodded and pointed at the tree outside her bedroom window.
"Ok, see you tomorrow afternoon," Adagio said before she began walking in the direction of Vice Principal Luna's house.
Moving like a cat, and showing exceptional grace for someone with no gymnast training Scootaloo was up the tree and sliding through her open window in no time. Not wanting to risk turning on the light in her bedroom, Scootaloo was able to change into her pajamas in the dark. Scootaloo decided to hang her jacket on the back of her desk chair. She was surprised when she heard her jacket hit the floor. Her desk chair wasn't where she had left it. Sitting on her bed, Scootaloo reached over to her nightstand and turned on her bedside lamp. After her eyes adjusted to the light, she found herself face to face with Sunset Shimmer.
Celestia wasn't sure why, but Sunset had been upset all morning, actually, upset was putting it mildly, Sunset was downright furious. When she tried to ask Scootaloo about it, all the younger teen would say was that they were having a personal issue. Celestia knew from experience what could happen when sisters fought, and she decided to give them twenty-four hours to patch things up between them before she would step in and settle matters herself.
"Do try to settle things with your sister," Celestia said as she and Scootaloo were climbing out of Celestia's minivan. Sunset had already stormed into the school.
"I'm trying mom," Scootaloo said, "it's all just one big misunderstanding."
"I hope so."
*****
"So Flash," Aria was saying, "want to go see a movie after the Friendship Games?" She never had a chance to hear Flash's answer, because at that moment she felt a hand on her shoulder and she was forcibly turned around. Instinctually, she raised her fists ready for a fight, instead she was looking at Sunset, a very pissed off Sunset.
"I have no control over what you and your sisters do when we aren't at school or hanging out," Sunset seethed, "but leave my sister out of whatever you three are doing in the middle of the night."
"Sunset," Aria said, trying to figure the situation, "maybe I should explain."
"No, I don't need an explanation," Sunset snarled, "and I don't care who came up with the idea, but Scootaloo doesn't need to be wandering the streets at night, not with Incognito on the loose."
"That's what we were doing, looking for Incognito," Aria grumbled.
"Then Scoots definitely does not need to be with you."
"Sunset," a voice said.
"Not now Scoots." Sunset replied.
"Sunset it was my idea," Scootaloo said, "We all know that Incognito is looking for you and she won't stop until she has her revenge. So I figured that I'd find her first, the girls decided to help because they said that you'd kill me if something happened to me. Adagio tried to stop me.
"Well they're right" Sunset said starting to calm down, "you should have listened to her."
"Sunset I want you to know that Scootaloo's safety was always at the front of mine and my sisters' minds," Aria said.
"Why didn't you try to talk her out of it," Sunset countered.
"Dagi beat me to it," Aria explained.
"Yeah well you should have tried harder," Sunset said, "she could have been seriously hurt if you had run into Incognito last night."
"A, we didn't run into Incognito," Sonata pointed out, "and B, until the rest of you can find a way to activate your magic without your musical instruments, only the four of us have any way to actually fight Incognito."
"It wouldn't be fun hauling my drum set around all the time," Pinkie said.
"Ok," Aria said, "when did you two get here?"
"Nevermind that," Sunset said with a pleading look in her eyes, "just promise me that you won't take Scootaloo hunting for Incognito anymore."
"I can't promise you that," Aria said after a moments hesitation, "you know how hard headed your little sister can be, but I will promise not to encourage her."
"I second that," Sonata said cheerfully.
"I guess I really can't ask for more than that can I," Sunset replied.
*****
Gabby was worried about her sister, for the past few days Gilda had been acting, well, weird. She had taken to locking herself in her bedroom, only coming out for meals and school. The previous evening, Lightning Dust had called and when Gabby had taken the phone up to Gilda's room, her sister had refused to accept the call. What was even more disturbing to Gabby was that as she walked away from Gilda's barred door, she thought she heard strange chanting.
"So, uh, Gilda," Gabby said, "want to go get a strawberry shortcake milkshake from Sugarcube Corner after school? My treat."
Sugarcube Corner's strawberry shortcake milkshake was Gilda's absolute favorite milkshake. Gabby hoped that her sister would say yes to the idea.
"Huh, what was that," Gilda said, "oh no, sorry I have plans after school, I'm working on a special project."
That's what I was afraid you'd say, Gabby thought, "ok, maybe tomorrow then."
"Yeah sure," Gilda said, though it was clear to Gabby that she wasn't listening, "tomorrow."
Gabby watched as her sister gathered up her stuff and began to walk into the school.
"Hey Gabby," a familiar voice said, "what's up with Gilda lately? Is she actually going to class on time?"
Gabby turned and saw Lightning Dust, Short Fuse and Rolling Thunder standing there. They were watching Gilda, and waiting for Gabby to give them an answer.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Gabby sighed, "on both counts."
"Could you talk to her please," Lightning Dust said as both Short Fuse and Rolling Thunder walked away in disgust, "you're really the only person she truly listens to."
"I'll do whatever I can," Gabby said, "but unfortunately I don't think that will be enough."
"Listen," Lightning replied putting a hand on Gabby's shoulder, "your sister loves you, hell I think that you're probably the only thing that she loves. I mean we've had our fun, but to be honest there is no love there."
"Really," Gabby said, "All those late nights that you two spent together,"
"Didn't mean a thing," Lightning replied, "at least not to her. You're all she cares about."
"I'll talk to her," Gabby said. She really did not want to know the details about Gilda and Lightning's relationship.
"Well you should head inside," Lightning said, "bell is about to ring for first period."
"What about you," Gabby asked, "shouldn't you be heading to class?"
"And ruin my reputation for consistently being late to class," Lightning laughed.
Scootaloo and Sunset spent the day after school with their cousins, though Scootaloo felt that Sunset was mostly keeping an eye Scootaloo more than anything. It felt almost as though Sunset was keeping the younger girl on a short leash. Both however were surprised to see that their mother, Celestia, had beaten them home for the evening.
"Yes," Celestia said into her phone as both Scootaloo and Sunset entered the house, "I'm sure that they would love to spend some time with you. I know that Luna would love to see you. So would I. Yes I'll tell her."
"Hey mom," Scootaloo said as soon as Celestia had put her phone away, "what's for dinner?"
"Let's just order a pizza for tonight," Celestia answered. The next few days would be stressful enough for both Celestia and Sunset, and Scootaloo hadn't shown any real talent for cooking anything other than instant ramen.
"Scootaloo," Celestia said as the trio waited for their pies to arrive, "be sure to pack an overnight bag and take it with you to school tomorrow, you can keep it in my office."
"Aren't the Friendship Games this Friday," Sunset asked.
"Yes, but your sister's actions during the whole Anon-A-Miss affair means that she isn't allowed to participate or even be a spectator," Celestia explained.
"Yeah," Sunset protested, "but she and the others served their suspensions."
"It is part of their punishment," Celestia said, "besides she won't be alone, Sonata, Aria and Adagio are going with her."
"Where are we going," Scootaloo asked.
"That's the surprise," Celestia replied, though both Sunset and Scootaloo took note of the conspiratorial twinkle in Celestia's eyes.
"Okay," Sunset said after a moment, "keep your secrets."
Before Scootaloo could say anything, there was a knock on the front door announcing the arrival of pizza.
****"
"Where is it," Gilda said, "Blueberry's own writings state that it was sent to this dimensional realm."
"Um, Gilda," Lightning Dust asked, "what are you talking about?"
"The bell," Gilda snapped, "the bell is everything. The bell is the key."
"What bell," Lightning replied. She had watched her friend seemingly descend into madness. All Gilda spoke about was finding this mysterious bell. She had hoped that Gabby would have been able to get through to Gilda, but so far Gilda had ignored Gabby and Lightning's efforts.
"It is the BELL," Gilda explained, "it controls and contains all magic that it comes into contact with. With it I will have the power I need to defeat Sunset Shimmer and her coven of friends."
"Ok," Lightning said, she rolled her eyes at Gilda's explanation, "how did you learn of this bell?"
"From Blueberry the Bard's own words," Gilda said, "from the ancient section of the Canterlot Royal Library."
Lightning Dust tried not to laugh. She had grown up in Canterlot, and she was certain that there was no Canterlot Royal Library. Plus who would name their kid "Blueberry the Bard"?
*****
Scootaloo couldn't wait for school to end. Celestia's surprise kept gnawing at her. She had quickly learned shortly after moving in with the high school principal and Sunset that Celestia was a completely different person away from the school. Now the day was finally over, and she stood next to the Wondercolt statue along side her sister and their cousins.
"What are we waiting on," Pinkie Pie asked for the umpteenth time.
"Aunt Celestia said that we'd know it when we see it," Sonata explained to her girlfriend. It was Rainbow Dash that saw it first. The large black SUV pulling up to the front of the school. Everything about it seemed to scream "GOVERNMENT AGENT" she watched as the driver got out. He was wearing a black suit and dark sunglasses. His hair was cut short in a military style. He saw Scootaloo, Sunset, Aria and Sonata before they saw him and he began walking towards the group.
"Girls," Rainbow said with caution in her voice, "you might want to hide, Pinkie and I will stall him."
Pinkie saw what Rainbow was looking at, and she nodded in agreement. Reaching into her hair, she pulled out a small cylinder about the size of a soda can. Aria recognized it as one of Pinkie's confetti grenades. Without even thinking she pulled out the pin and let the grenade fly. That was when both Aria and Sonata saw the person approaching them.
"No Pinkie don't," Aria cried out as the grenade went off and covered the man in brightly colored confetti.
"What do you mean," Rainbow asked, "we don't want you to be taken away by the Area 51 people."
"Well you see," Sonata said as both Scootaloo and Sunset ran up to help the man back up, "that's our grandfather."
